‘US cannot hide terror groups by changing their names'

By Sorwar Alam

ANKARA

Deputy Prime Minister and Government Spokesman Bekir Bozdag on Wednesday said that the United States should know that it cannot conceal the PYD/PKK terror group by changing its name.

Bozdag tweeted: "The U.S. should give up hindering Turkey [in its efforts against] the PKK/KCK/PYD/YPG terrorist organization. They should know that they cannot hide terrorist organizations and terrorists by changing their names or logos. [This] cannot change the truth and cannot deceive anyone."

He also urged the U.S. administration to abide by its promise to Turkey regarding cutting Washington’s support to the PYD/PKK terror group in Syria and to collect weapons from the terrorists.

Bozdag also said Turkey would not let “the PKK/KCK/PYD and YPG to conduct ethnic and ideological cleansing, [and] change the demographic structure of the region".

He added Ankara will prevent a new refugee influx with Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, northwestern Syria.

“We will not allow the establishment of a terror army and terror state across our border under the disguise of Border Security Forces,” he said referring to the Pentagon’s plan to form a border force of PYD/PKK terrorists.

He added: "We will ensure the security of our country, our border and the region.”

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from oppression and cruelty of terrorists.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terrorist targets were being destroyed and "utmost importance" was being put on avoiding harm to civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.